Halkyn Mountain Common Regeneration Project

The Halkyn Mountain Common Regeneration Project aims to move the mountain/common land forward in a co-ordinated and carefully managed way, in order to create a positive living landscape for all sectors of the community and for visitors to the mountain. This project is also the culmination of a partnership of individuals and organisations who have worked on developing an innovative and holistic way forward for this area. Cadwyn Clwyd, the Welsh Assembly Government's Aggregate Levy Sustainability Fund For Wales (ALSFW), Flintshire County Council and the Countryside Council for Wales currently fund the project.

Following a community consultation on Halkyn Mountain back in 2002, it was decided that the project would be delivered in three parts:

• 1.) Interpretation of Halkyn Mountain Common
• 2.) Employment of a Countryside Ranger to manage the landscape
• 3.) Construction of cattle grids.

The interpretation element of the project has started already with the production of a leaflet "The Story of Halkyn Mountain", a DVD about the local community and the history of quarrying and agriculture on Halkyn Mountain. An Education Pack detailing the history of mining in the area, the quarrying landscape and the wildlife on the common has already been distributed to primary and secondary schools in the area.

The aim of employing a Countryside Ranger is to enhance the biodiversity on the mountain through habitat and species management, especially the conservation of the Great Crested Newts and maintenance of the SSSI (Sites of Special Scientific Interest) and SAC (Special Area of Conservation) areas. The warden will control illegal activities such as fly tipping and off-road vehicles as well as organising community events such as guided walks and activities with local school children.

Cattle grids constructed around the boundaries will prevent areas of the mountain becoming over grazed or under grazed. The cattle grids will act as "gateway features" onto the common, hopefully creating a sense that you are entering a special landscape.  

To access the interpretation leaflet produced for the area click on the image below.